Prekallikrein and Protease Inhibitor Levels in Plasma from Conscious, Hemorrhaged and Euvolemic Swine Infused with 7.5% NaCl/6% Dextran-70

Abstract : The kallikrein-kinin system can initiate a number of effects capable of further aggravating the effects of hemorrhage. The present study examines plasma prekallikrein concentrations and the levels and functional activity of circulating protease inhibitors known to bind kallikrein, in 5 euvolemic and 6 hemorrhaged swine infused with 7.5% NaCl/6% Dextran-70 (HSD). Pigs were hemorrhaged progressively over a 45 min period at 27 ml/kg body weight. HSD was then infused over a one (1) minute period into both groups of pigs at a dose of 4 ml/kg. Blood samples were withdrawn before, immediately after the hemorrhage period and at 5, 60 and 120 min following HSD infusion. Neither group of pigs showed significant changes in plasma prekallikrein concentrations in response to either hemorrhage or HSD infusion. In addition, plasma concentrations of gamma - Pl and gamma 2 -M and the functional activity of gamma -Pl were unaffected by hemorrhage or HSD. These data indicate that Dextran-70, when administered as HSD, is not an activator of the kallikrein-kinin system. Keywords: HSD; Dextran; Hemorrhage; Swine; Prekallikrein; Protease inhibitors.